Worst takeoff fears explained! 

You read my mind A couple weeks ago I felt that In fly to Panama and I was wondering ( what’s that) and why, but now you answered Thanks a lot!!!!

I just look at the flight attendants, if they look bored, we’re ok....

My rule of thumb is staring at the cabin crew while taking off, landing, or during turbulence. If the flight attendants are chatting about their latest manicure and laughing, I know I'm good.

I once asked a pilot if he ever got scared landing in fog, etc. He said no - the only time he was scared flying is when he was flying up a river, 100 feet off the water, no lights, with the enemy shooting at him. He said commercial during peacetime is a piece of cake compared to combat fights.

I’ve noticed I always hold my breath and get a little anxious during take off, but I’m not scared at all during landing. I think the acceleration part of take off is what freaks me out. Racing down the runway and hoping it gets off the ground in time always seems like a huge deal.

Me: omg omg, the engines are dead we all are going to die Cabin Crew: WE WILL START TO OFFER REFRESHMENTS SHORTLY

My rule of thumb is as long as I can hear the engines this means they are still attached to the wings and the wings are still attached to the plane.

Engine noise 2:01 Sinking feeling 8:30 Air pockets 14:45

I thought I was the only one in this world who always felt an aircraft dropping slowly immediately after take off. It felt like the pilot left the controls by mistake and whenever the plane starts to drop slowly I always hold the arm rest of the seat tighter than I did during takeoff. Now I've watched this, it has eased the tension I have for flying.

I just miss when I was a kid and I didn't know accidents could happen. And Take off was the best part of it all. Now my heart beats out of my chest just thinking about going on a plane.

Everyone gangsta until engine power goes down

I didn’t understand a word of his explanation, but I trust him.

I’ve been flying for half my life and it still humbles me that we can do it. So much respect.

The Dog is like "Oh my God! Is he still talking about Airplanes?".

Think of it like this: when pulling out onto the freeway in your car, you put your foot down on the accelerator pedal going up the on-ramp and your engine spins up to provide the power to get you going at freeway speed, but once you’re going fast enough you ease off the pedal and the engine slows down. Same idea with the airplane... once it’s going fast enough, the pilot can ease off the ‘gas pedal’.

When I worked at FAA one of the medical professors explained turbulence to me (my fear). He suggested putting a partially full clear water bottle in the seat pocket and when turbulence hits, watch it. If it barely bounces, you're barely bouncing. It helped me not overreact to every bump or plane movement and eased my fear.

I generally feel nervous at every noise and every move the plane makes. I spend the whole flight nauseous, strapped in my seat praying to survive and then crying when we land safely.

Worst takeoff fears: oh shit I left my smallest child at home over Christmas

I have a fear of flying but your channel teaches me how planes work

It’s refreshing to hear an expert in his field explain the science behind it and not having the comments section filled with people claiming they know better. Excellent video!

Call me crazy but one of the most exhilarating feelings during takeoff is that shuddering or strong vibrating feeling right after the wheels leave the ground. It just tells me how heavy the plane feels and how powerful the engines are.

The sinking feeling I get after takeoff is usually something like "did I turn off the iron" or "did I lock my car" or something

Accidents are so rare. Pilots want to make it home too! My family will be set from the insurance money. I’m gonna go someday anyway. I have no regrets in life. Thousands of people take fight a day. Every accident provides more learnings to help prevent future ones. Planes can fly quite well when they are moderately disabled in some ways. These are just some of things that nervous flyers should consider!

I love descending, but take off is such a struggle. The absolute scariest part for me is the climb. I fly tomorrow and am trying to keep my brain in check this time. Thank you for this video and all your videos. Long time subscriber and fearful flyer. ✈️

Best feeling when the flaps get retracted, like a roller coaster, I love it.

One time I was sitting near the front of the cabin. A passenger got on and described herself as a "fearful" flyer and asked to talk to the cockpit crew. She asked about weather. Any concerns they might have etc. They were SO good with her. The FA's checked on her a couple of times and when the pilots went to the lav, they visited her as well. Great care IMHO. She did very well. I cannot imagine having to worry like that. We cannot control all of those things all of the time.

I developed fear of landings and takeoffs. The sinking sensation when we’re in air is something that brings me relief because I feel like the worst part is done and now we’re in air.

LOL great video, but I was distracted by the dogs. They made me laugh. The white one sleeping next to you was like, 'ho hum'.

4:38- white puppy: “here we go again.”

This is what I call a very good use of social media.

Now I have a new anxiety, if the turbines are in full blast after 10 min of the take off I will think we’re about to explode 😅

Managed to turn a simple topic that can be explained in 30 seconds into 20 minutes, I need this kind of skill for school

It took me about 10 minutes into the video to realize that the white pillow on the couch was actually a dog sleeping!

I’m a nervous flyer and can relate to this video massively. Noise cancelling headphones have helped me out big time

That sleepin’ pup is just the best!! What a little cutie

I just feel I need to thank you for this video specifically. I am a Master Certified Automotive technician and I cannot stand flying due to my constant seeking of failures as you say. This specific feeling of sinking back after takeoff was one of my worst fears and your explanation was wonderful. I just got done with a 4-Hour flight from New York to Oklahoma and thinking about what you said in regards to the pitch change helped me tremendously. Thank you

I like that the cushions are strategically placed - red on the port side and green on his starboard.

I used to be a VERY nervous flyer. I did some soul searching and figured out what it was that made me scared and for me it was the engine changes in takeoffs and landings or when reaching cruising altitudes. I was very sensitive to the sounds and sensations. So I would put in some music to listen to so I couldn't hear it. Helped a lot.

As soon as the plane leaves the ground I feel a bit dizzy for like 3 seconds every take off 🤣

I was terrified of flying for years. But after educating myself years ago with videos like this, I honestly love it. I find it extremely relaxing.

I am that nervous flyer that always notices the engines throttle down and I always wondered why. Appreciate your awesome and detailed videos/explanations. I'm still driving whenever I can, but this helps.

Thank you, now my fear of flying has turned into scientifically proven fear of flying, what makes it a bit better :)

As someone who has a panic attack from booking a flight till landing; I have a good tip for nervous flyers; a lot of the issue is feeling landing gears retract etc. Under the seat in front of you, there are bars. Put your feet on those so that your feet aren’t vibrating on the deck which can be quite frightening ( it doesn’t affect the passenger in front, but don’t kick for obvious reasons )

I’m a frequent flyer and i’m not necessarily worried about it but i always wondered what that sinking felling in the climb is so thanks for making this video!

My sinking feeling used to come right when the cabin door was closed. That's the moment you know, you're in this good or bad outcome. No turning back now.

Dog to the left describes my sinking feeling after takeoff. No more fun until the landing!!!!

OMG! This video was for me. I don’t consider myself a nervous flyer, but I always question the change in sound that the engine makes, now my nerves are completely settled. Knowledge is truly power and can calm your nerves 👏🏾👏🏾

Educating myself on the theory of flight watching your videos has helped me so much. Also flying more frequently helps too. I still get the jitters before takeoff, but no longer worry weeks before, making what should be an enjoyable part of our holiday something I absolutely dread.

My fear is not crashing or dying but I hate that stomach feeling you get during air pocket turbulence.

The dog must be wondering who the hell he's speaking to.

Those dogs are so disrespectful. They never paid any attention to anything that the pilot said.

I’m not a nervous flyer at all but holy crap that has puzzled me for 25 years…. I’m like what are they doing why do they let off the gas… are we not trying to get up to 10,000 feet 30,000 feet… so thank you that has, really answered everything that I had of concern about flying …. FYI you are the man… Your videos are unbelievable and so educational I like every one and I share every video I watch individually to multiple friends and family.. You deserve every penny that you may make from this… So I hope it helps that sharing them separately is beneficial to you and your family….

As an aviation geek I know a fair bit about aviation but I learn something new in every one of your videos. Thanks for the quality content.

I love the way that brown doggo sits facing away from the camera staring at nothing.

8:31 is the sinking feeling. Thank you so much for explaining this as it always makes me nervous!

Yeah my fear is the sinking feeling after takeoff it scares me I'm going on a flight by myself in 7 days I'm 12 years old hopefully won't be that bad of the feeling...

YES that sounding of the engines going quieter does scare me!!! This is all so fascinating. Thank you for posting this very informative vlog.

I honestly can’t thank you enough for this video! I feel like I’ve been waiting 20 years for something as succinct, factual, and understandable as this video. Thank you so much!

As an engineer I understand everything you explain, but I think your dogs are bored. I get the same reaction out of my cats if I talk about electronics or software.

Favorite part a flight is getting to the gate at the arrival city and hearing that “ding” to take seatbelts off

As a former American Airlines F/A I really enjoy the videos! Love the fur babies! Tony from Florida USA

Take off is the best part about riding a plane tho😆😂 I love that feeling after the plane lifts up

The change in the engine sounds and speed still scare me though, even after it’s explained and I know it’s normal. It’s the not being in control so high up and stuck there until you reach your destination, no way out😖😖 I never was scared of flying until my late hubby became an aircraft engineer 😒

Thank you so much! I am a nervous flyer and oddly developed a fear of flying as an adult despite flying frequently when I was younger. A big part was that dropping sensation you described and the engine noise changes which I have suddenly become more sensitive to/aware of. Your explanation was really good and helps me to understand and hopefully cope a lot better as I can rationalise what is going on. Dropped a like and have subscribed.

I don't fly anymore because I don't like airports but this is a great explanatory video. re wake turbulence: I used to live on a hill under the landing path for Lindberg field in San Diego and if it was quiet enough could actually hear the wake turbulence after a plane passed. They would sound remarkably like ocean waves, building and building until crashing/breaking and dissipating. Really cool sound.

Your little dog is well behaved . Very calm when you are explaining

The older I get, the more nervous I am flying. Literally every single flight is worse and worse. I went from not caring, to kinda caring, to severely caring and for no real reason. Anyone else this way?

Everything about flying makes me nervous. I even have airport anxiety, didn't know it was actually a thing!😮

You are everything I’ve ever needed talking into my ear when I am desperately looking around and watching the cabin crew for any change in their face. The noise levels are terrifying to me. Especially when it all goes quiet 😩 as if the engine has stopped. Fantastic channel. I will keep on travelling!

The wake turbulance thing remind me of Kennedy Steve - an A380 lined up behind a Cessna. "Emirates (or whatever), line up and wait behind the Cessna. Caution - propwash." I loved that.

As a flight attendant, I really appreciate these videos.

My first time to fly was in 1971, when I left the UK to fly to Australia, via America. It was on a VC10 and I'll never forget that feeling on take off. The plane sat at the end of the runway with brakes on as the engines built up to full power. Suddenly, the brakes were off and I was thrust back into my seat as the plane shot forward.

I think those “pockets” or Vortexes as you mentioned, Is similar to what I’ve learned as an Airborne soldier in the Army. They always teach us, “the lower jumper has the right of way” Simply because , for example, if I’m hovering over another paratrooper that is under my canopy, then their canopy can “take” the air from under me, Which then sends me into a VERY SLIGHT free fall, until my canopy can regain its lift capability . Pretty cool

16:00 I was on a flight and the lady in the seat behind me said, "What was that!" sounding very scared. I said it was just "wake turbulence" that it was no big deal. She seemed okay with that.

Excellent video. What I did to conquer my own fear of flying was to take a few hours in a professional flight-simulator, where I had a captain flying with me and telling me all the procedures and stuff. It really eased my mind and ever since then I am no longer listening for failures, I am rather listening to hear when the cabin crew gets their alerts, watching the flaps to see what kind of take off or approach we are doing, look at the other planes as were leaving in order to see one of the beautiful A350s and so forth. My highlight so far after learning a few things and knowing a little about what to look for is a SOIA approach at San Francisco.

These subjects is actually transferable to my experience with health anxiety. Your debunking of the fears of flying, is a matter of fact helping me, even though I am not flying right now. Thanks for that!

I am SO glad you did a video on this. That sinking feeling is the worst part of the flight. I turn green and feel like I am going to hurl. So, thanks for explaining why.

I felt SO GOOD earlier today when my brother talked about air pockets and I was like "Actually there's no such thing as air pockets, but it could be a vortex created by another plane, cause you see.." and then started telling him everything I learned from watching your videos. Love it!

I actually like that nearly weightlessness negative G-Force feeling! It's quite fun! 😎

I am a nervous flier. But I fly because I a more excited about going somewhere than I am about worrying about flying. This type of information is fantastic. I find I go from worrying about the sounds to starting to expect them and understanding what's going on. I am now becoming interested in watching and listening and enjoying the flight. Thanks

I have often sat in my seat and after take off I’ve heard a REDUCTION in thrust which has felt like we’re dropping. Thank you , you have explained this perfectly and your English is superb! 👍

This is one of the best explanations I've seen about how a jet engine works and why they do what they do. I work for a major manufacturer and every time I fly I'm constantly listening to the engine sounds, not out of nervousness but because I love seeing and hearing the actual result of what I do every day.

I learned the secret to stop being a nervous flyer a long time ago. I got a job where I traveled 80-90% nationwide (in the states), and almost all of that required flying to my destination. Within a few weeks I was no longer a nervous flyer. I did leave that position after 4-5 years because I became a "burned out" flyer. Living on the road was fun until eventually it wasn't. The scariest "incident" I can recall while flying was a last second touch and go by the pilot while trying to land with thunderstorms around the airport. It was only "scary" because he was executing a normal landing and then had to execute the touch and go without being able to forewarn the passengers.

Thank you for making these videos. I share the same feelings as a few people below, ignorance was bliss as a child, but now I’m so aware of everything. I have 2 young boys and we got back off holiday today - wanted to do my best on the way there and back to show them how exciting flying is and put my fear at the bottom of the pile (and it actually really helped), in the hope they don’t experience the nervousness I do as they get older! These videos are absolutely vital for me as a nervous flyer - and also to educate my boys on how amazing planes and pilots are as they grow up! Thanks once again, you have no idea how much these videos have helped me, and probably so many others! 🙏🏻

Wow thank you so much, the one thing that I always worry about is exactly what this video just explained. It’s always that feeling of being on a roller coaster 🎢 going up and then always waiting for the feeling of we’re going to fall and I now know it’s just an illusion caused by my inner ear . I always listen to everything and am always on edge because I know that most accidents happen within the first 15 mins of take off or when landing. I usually spend the whole flight looking at cabin crew and if they don’t look worried then I don’t. I honestly can’t tell you how much this video has helped. I have really started to love aviation and enjoy learning about how the planes work and how they fly . Am so glad I found your channel and this video. Thank you 😊

I love that sleeping dog 💤 ... what a face.

My biggest fear on takeoff..... is tilting back. I hate any sort of seat that tilts me back whether it's a chair at a dentist's office, or going up a steep hill. There's some history with that. My neighbor lives on a hill, and my dad would drive a pickup truck to his driveway and just park the pickup on an uphill and ask me to wait inside... I used to HATE this so much because I had this fear that the brakes would give out and the truck would go rolling down the hill with me in it. So when a plane takes off, and tilts back... it sets off all kinds of "NOPE!" in me to where I have to lean forward to try and keep my body upright or I will start panicking.

From someone who is a really anxious flyer - THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for making these videos! Understanding the scary machine I need to rely my life on is helping me so much with anxiety! 😊

Glad to finally know WHY I get that sinking feeling! After my first flight, I just accepted it as normal,but I've always wondered what caused it. Thanks for solving that mystery for me!

I figured out that “sinking” feeling when I was a kid. I used to go to Florida every year and always noticed that...it was kind of the most “weeeeee” part of the takeoff. At some point I looked out and saw “oh...we’re still climbing...that feeling was the change from ‘rocket mode’ climbing to ‘regular’ (?) climbing” Of course, these were back in the days when no one really cared about “noise abatement”...you just blasted the surrounding neighborhood with your smoking jt8d’s while babies puked everywhere and grizzled looking dudes smoked cigarettes in the back of the plane. 🎶 memmmoriiieessss 🎶

Its the only reason im not great on planes, thank you for explaining that, I'll certainly feel much more relaxed now when i go to majorca in october. Everytime im on a plane, I'd end up with cold sweats and a rapid heart beat just after take off. I'll just have to remember to watch this again the night before i go away.

Just came across this channel. Always been a nervous flyer, this was really interesting & answered questions I’ve had before. Great video, thank you!

What a fantastic explanation! Thank you! I’m an extremely nervous flyer and have felt this before and started sobbing, thinking that we were crashing lol. It wasn’t funny at the time but now I know that it’s nothing to be worried about.

Take off for me is the worst , all that engine thrust taking this huge metal plane off the ground

It's really strange, the first time I flew it wasn't so bad because I was really buzzed off a few drinks lol, but we flew out from Chicago to Miami 5 days ago, and I decided to go sober on this one, just to see if I could do it. OH boy, the flight there was a lot to handle for me, I found myself grabbing onto the sides of the seat really hard during takeoff, and I was having a real rough time handling the turbulence (I've never been good with any kind of turbulence, G force, or roller coasters). However the flight home today, I prepped myself up pretty good and it wasn't bad at all! I think you just need to do it a few times, and you're totally used to it, and it's nothing.

I stumbled across your channel one day and decided to check it out. I'm not a pilot (I'm a truck driver, actually) and I can count on one hand the times I've flown. However, I do find your insight and knowledge fascinating. I subscribed and am really enjoying your episodes. Thank you for your effort.

I remember having this 'sinking fear' sensation the first time I flew on an airliner. I wasn't actually scared because my 1st instinct is to analyze everything logically so when that sensation kicked in I immediately looked out the window and tried to follow the ground and see if the plane is actually sinking. After about a minute I was like.. nah, we're definitely still climbing but man, this feels weird.

After watching this, the part about the inner ear giving erroneous signals reminded me of a description that was shared with me by a Navy pilot friend. My friend and his friend were Navy pilots in the 1960’s during the Cuban Missile Crisis. My friend flew a “Stoof” and his friend the “Willy Fudd” aircraft. For reference, the E-1B was designated WF and nicknamed “Willy Fudd” and was also referred to as the “Stoof with a Roof”. It was derived from the S2F, nicknamed “Stoof”. We had been exchanging emails about the difficulties of carrier takeoffs with the above-mentioned aircraft and this was part of the conversation that I think applies: “Here are my observations on night cat shots (aircraft carrier catapult shots). I did quite a few during the Cuban (Missile) Crisis. The o-dark-thirty patrols fell to the junior plane commanders. We had to be catted off as the flight deck was positioned to launch fighters at a moment’s notice. The fighter pilots were in their cockpits. Flying the Fudd in the early 60's, I always felt the night cat launch on a black-ass-night with no horizon was the most dangerous part of the operation. Within 2 seconds, or less, one is accelerated from a standstill to barely flying speed. As a result, one's balance senses (semicircular canals and stones, called otoconia, supported by hairs in the ear) feed the brain false information as to which direction is up. It has the feel of falling into a black abyss. The pilot needs to stay glued to and believe his instruments, rapidly scanning the attitude gyro, radio altimeter, airspeed and occasionally the rate of climb. Unfortunately, in the Fudd, this goes on for 20 or 30 seconds or more after launch (a long, long pucker) while the pilot is clawing to gain airspeed and/or altitude. The following factors all contribute: 1. The aircraft is launched at a speed only a few knots above stall speed (higher launch speeds put additional strain on the airframe and shortens aircraft service life). 2. The aircraft is launched with the wing having a low angle of attack (AOA) and as the A/C clears the bow it rotates to assume a greater AOA, increasing the wing loading to carry the A/C weight. During this transition the aircraft drops maybe 20 or so feet from a 65-foot-high deck. 3. While the R1820 engines seem adequate power for the airplane they don't make it a sprightly performer particularly with a radome providing additional weight and parasitic drag. There is no excess power to call upon.” So, if the sensations of a commercial airliner during takeoff make you nervous, imagine what a moonless night catapult takeoff from an aircraft carrier in a piston-powered aircraft with a radar dome on top would be like.

This video is extremely under rated! I have watched lots of aviation videos of just normal flying to air crash investigations and you have explained everything so simply but in great detail also! Take off is what I struggle with mostly, this will definitely help easy my mind! So thank you 😊

Thank you for your clarification! I’m a nervous flyer but I feel like this helped calm me because I now know what to expect!!